A gas leak snarled traffic in the Punahou area yesterday morning as police closed South Beretania and Punahou streets for about an hour and a half.

Construction workers installing a wheelchair ramp at an apartment complex hit an underground gas line shortly after 10 a.m. said Steve Golden, a spokesman for The Gas Company.

Police closed South Beretania from Artesian to Punchbowl streets and Punahou Street from Wilder Avenue to Waiola street from about 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Golden said the ruptured line was repaired. Brisk winds helped dissipate the gas, he said. "The biggest impact, really, was the traffic," he said.